Pagan Festivals Imbolc I Wonder If The Catholics That Light A Candle For Mary Realise That The Are Really Lighting A

Imbolc is the time when winter is still on the land, but spring is coming. It is the time when it is very apparent that the days are lengthening and the time when dark, long nights end. Imbolc is usually the coldest time of the year, and is celebrated with a bonfire and blessing of tools.Mythologically, the Goddess has recovered from the birth of Her child. This is the time when the Goddess is renewed as Maiden after the birth of Her child. It is also the time of dedication and initiation.

Also known as: Candlemas, Feast of Lights, Feast of Torches, Oimelc, Brigid's Day, Lupercalia, Feast of Pan, Snowdrop Festival, Feast of Waxing Light

A fire festival. We awaken the earth mother and warm the earth. It is a signal that the days are getting longer, and spring will soon be here. Sort of an initial wake-up call to the earth that she must soon waken from her slumber and begin to warm the earth back up. At this point, the tides turn and move us toward spring, when we look forward to ushering in spring.

A sabbat of purification after the shut in life of winter. We renew the power of the sun. The fire represents light, warmth, our own inspiration and our own internal illumination.

This is a traditional time for initiations and dedications. It is traditional to light every light in the house, have lit candles in every room, or place a kerosene lamp with a red chimney in the window. The scandinavian custom of the crown of candles (Santa Lucia) comes from this sabbat.

Many people think of this as the beginning of a new year - but see also Samhain. Light is noticeably growing now. We can observe the signs that Spring is on it's way. This festival is dedicated both to the Goddess and to the returning light. It is now that we think of the Goddess leaving the Underworld.

A time of awakening of the Life Force. We see new shoots appearing from bulbs and perhaps a swelling in the buds on trees and shrubs. A time often heralded by the appearance of Snowdrops. Nature and the Goddess are returning to the land.

A time of beginnings. I time to begin new plans and ventures - and to start to implement them but with caution. Difficult times might still be ahead

Imbolc, (pronounced "IM-bulk" or "EM-bowlk"), also called Oimealg, ("IM-mol'g), by the Druids, is the festival of the lactating sheep. It is derived from the Gaelic word "oimelc" which means "ewes milk". Herd animals have either given birth to the first offspring of the year or their wombs are swollen and the milk of life is flowing into their teats and udders. It is the time of Blessing of the seeds and consecration of agricultural tools. It marks the center point of the dark half of the year. It is the festival of the Maiden, for from this day to March 21st, it is her season to prepare for growth and renewal. Brighid's snake emerges from the womb of the Earth Mother to test the weather, (the origin of Ground Hog Day), and in many places the first Crocus flowers began to spring forth from the frozen earth.

The Maiden is honored, as the Bride, on this Sabbat. Straw Brideo'gas (corn dollies) are created from oat or wheat straw and placed in baskets with white flower bedding. Young girls then carry the Brideo'gas door to door, and gifts are bestowed upon the image from each household. Afterwards at the traditional feast, the older women make special acorn wands for the dollies to hold, and in the morning the ashes in the hearth are examined to see if the magic wands left marks as a good omen. Brighid's Crosses are fashioned from wheat stalks and exchanged as symbols of protection and prosperity in the coming year. Home hearth fires are put out and re-lit, and a besom is place by the front door to symbolize sweeping out the old and welcoming the new. Candles are lit and placed in each room of the house to honor the re-birth of the Sun.

Another traditional symbol of Imbolc is the plough. In some areas, this is the first day of ploughing in preparation of the first planting of crops. A decorated plough is dragged from door to door, with costumed children following asking for food, drinks, or money. Should they be refused, the household is paid back by having its front garden ploughed up. In other areas, the plough is decorated and then Whiskey, the "water of life" is poured over it. Pieces of cheese and bread are left by the plough and in the newly turned furrows as offerings to the nature spirits. It is considered taboo to cut or pick plants during this time.

The First of February belongs to Brigid, (Brighid, Brigit, Bride,) the Celtic goddess who in later times became revered as a Christian saint. Originally, her festival on February 1 was known as Imbolc or Oimelc, two names which refer to the lactation of the ewes, the flow of milk that heralds the return of the life-giving forces of spring. Later, the Catholic Church replaced this festival with Candlemas Day on February 2, which is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and features candlelight processions. The powerful figure of Brigid the Light-Bringer overlights both pagan and Christian celebrations.

This is the Feast of Imbolc. The Light of the Sun in the Wheel of the Year stands in the North East, within the Cone of Darkness. This is a time of hope and preparation. This is the time of the growing of the Light

This Feast is known by many names to many people, for the Truth is reflected from many mirrors. It has been celebrated as Februa and Candlemas. Our ancestors called it by names long forgotten, and our children will call it by names as yet unconceived.

At this time, our ancestors saw the Sun, the weak and helpless Child of Light, grow stronger day by day. The land still lies in darkness, but the rule of the darkness is challenged by the infant Lord of Light. Little by little, the skies grow light and the blessed Earth gives forth her first flowers, snowdrop and crocus, as promise of the Summer that is to be when all creation will rejoice in the One Universal Light.

This Feast of Imbolc is sacred to the Lady, the child-woman, the virgin who is known as Brighid and Athena and Britomartis and names without number. She it was who brought forth the Child of Light out of the Darkness in the darkest of the Dark Days. She it is who has nurtured the Child and now brings him forth as the new hope. She it is who has prepared the sleeping Earth to bring forth her bounty in the Summer which even here has its first beginnings.

As we see the Child of Light grow stronger day by day in the arms of the Mother, so do we understand that we ourselves will grow under the protection of the Mantle of the Lady, and the Light that shines within us will bring forth a great harvest in the ground that She has prepared. This is our knowledge and our affirmation.

This is the Holy Word that is written in no less than the Earth and the Sky and in all things that are made. This is a wonder and a marvel.

Origin: magic-and-spells.blogspot.com